Hypnosis: Recovering Childhood Memories

Sample E-mail Answer by Jef Gazley, M.S., LMFT, DCC

Dear D.,

Human beings are by definition imperfect and not always in control. We desperately strive to defeat these realities and unfortunately are doomed to fail. Even when five people each see the same thing they often disagree on what they saw. Perception is colored by perspective, geographical position, eyesight, personality, beliefs, past experiences, and especially emotions.

When we file this into memory it is not necessarily done in a literal and time sequential manner. We often summarize and classify information. We also can file it with similar experiences. When we then have reason to remember them these separate instances can become somewhat merged. This is often why eyewitness testimony is looked at as fallible by the legal profession.

Emotions especially color memory. This can make it more or less accurate. If we feel a significant emotion about an incident we often remember it more accurately and for a longer period of time. An overwhelming memory might overload us to such an extent that details become fuzzy. At times when the emotional trauma is resolved or reactivated an accurate memory can be accessed again. Emotional memory does not necessarily mean literally accurate, however.

Having said all that it is remarkable how accurate human beings are in terms of remembering what is important for them in general. Also, in my experience as a clinician, the more a person resolves psychological and emotional issues in their lives accurate memories are almost sure to follow.

I have often found two techniques helpful with clients in the retrieval of memory. These are Hypnosis and NET™ or Neuro Emotional Technique™. The last of these only claims to help with emotional memory, but in my experience there is a great deal of correlation between emotional memory and standard memory and reality. It is very important to remember that these techniques should be used as two tools in a complete psychological treatment plan.

I also believe strongly that a therapist needs to be very careful in the ways that these are used. An inexperienced clinician or a poor one might be tempted to lead a client to memories rather than to allow whatever is going to come up to come up. This is crucial. I also believe that present difficult situations in a person's life or overreactions are the best way to investigate these. It is much less invasive and much more non-directive. Results will therefore be more reliable.

I hope this answers some of your questions. Good luck.

Jef Gazley, M.S., LMFT, DCC